A three-year-old in Miss Mason's class has bruises; what should the teacher do as a mandated reporter?

• A. Tell the parent immediately in person and monitor.
• B. Report to the abuse hotline or file a report online with as much information as possible.
• C. Contact the local police department.
• D. Ignore and continue teaching.

Answer: (B)

When a teacher who is a mandated reporter suspects a child may be harmed, the essential action is to report it to the designated authorities right away through the abuse hotline or the online reporting system, providing as much factual information as possible. This step ensures the child’s safety is addressed promptly and a proper investigation can begin. In this scenario, bruises on a three-year-old are a red flag, so the appropriate course is to file a report with the abuse hotline or online portal, including details such as the child’s name and age, what was observed, when and where it was seen, any known context or explanations, and how to reach the reporter. After reporting, follow the school or district procedures and document the action taken. Informing the parent directly or handling the matter personally would not meet mandated procedures and could impede a protective investigation, and ignoring the concern is never appropriate.